Bridgestone BT016 VS BT023

[MikeBike]

Hello Guys.
I need your opinion.
I need to replace my tyres. I am thinking of either the BT016 or BT023. I know the 16 is "grippier" and the 23 lasts longer. But for an ordinary street rider with a bike like ours, for some fun in turns, but not for sporty riding, would I be better with a 16, or the 23 is more than enough for the average rider/ride?
Thanks
Mike

[kebab19]

BT023 works great for me.  I'm led to believe modern sport-touring tyres are as good as full on race tyres from 10-15 years ago; so unless you're an ex-racer pushing tyres to the limits on public roads, they'll do just fine     

[darrsi]

BT023 are good, but nowhere near as good as the Michelin PR3, 4 or 5.


I have a PR3 front and PR4 rear (due to sizing issues), and they're the best tyres i've ever owned in over 30 years riding.


The PR5 is supposedly even better than both of them in all weathers though. 

[bazza]

I had a bt016 on front that was down to limit and replaced with bt023, I was assuming that bt023 was better as newer tyre. I would say bt023 seems to have better grip and feels better round corners but a lot of that would be down to the fact that my old bt016 was worn. I know a lot rate the michelin but bt023 a lot cheaper and I wanted to match the bt923 I have on rear. Also I dont ride like a nutter (well very rarely anyway) so an expensive tyre would be wasted on me. I do tend to use bike all year round but not in really shit weather if I can help it

[darrsi]

I had a bt016 on front that was down to limit and replaced with bt023, I was assuming that bt023 was better as newer tyre. I would say bt023 seems to have better grip and feels better round corners but a lot of that would be down to the fact that my old bt016 was worn. I know a lot rate the michelin but bt023 a lot cheaper and I wanted to match the bt923 I have on rear. Also I dont ride like a nutter (well very rarely anyway) so an expensive tyre would be wasted on me. I do tend to use bike all year round but not in really shit weather if I can help it

On Oponeo website:
BT023 £64
PR3 £73
BT016 £60

[darrsi]

Must add as well, i think this is the first time i can think of that i've had similarly matching tyres. 

[His Dudeness]

I'd go for the newer PR tyres. It's hard to move away from tyres that you trust especially with the cost of buying and fitting them. And you don't want to be stuck with tyres that you don't like for thousands of miles. But they seem to be constantly improving the compounds so it's worth the risk to me. And the PR tyres seem to get great reviews

[darrsi]

They're actually named Michelin Road 5 now, as i just found out.
I could be needing one sooner, rather than later, as i just found a screw in my rear PR4   


All i keep reading is how exceptional they are in the wet, but i rode in a blizzard on the way home from work last year, i looked like a snowman when i eventually got home, and the PR4 didn't slip once on the slushy roads, and in rain i have complete grip confidence. So how they've improved that i do not know?


I get that they're not exactly cheap, but in this case you really do get what you pay for, and the peace of mind is worth every penny in my opinion.


NOTE: This is very cheap for this tyre, after having a good look about. Add £15 - £20 for fitting and i'm still quids in. (from OPONEO)